Clinical Lab Scientist (Evenings & Night Shift)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

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This is the clinical laboratory scientist is responsible for testing procedures that are performed on a variety of biological specimens and or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment And responsibility with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines including hematology, Chemistry, Blood Bank Limited by microbiology and serology at the VAMC West Palm Beach. Duties include but are not limited to :

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation which includes the sections of Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, serology, blood bank, and Limited Microbiology.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and bio security in the workplace.
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions for all testing performed.
• Evaluates and interprets the results to determine if the data obtained are complete and valid.
• Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action.
• Selects the procedures which are appropriate for the request for service and congruent with patient consideration.
• Processes specimens to prepare them for specific culture and microscopic analysis, controls physical conditions, and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained.
• Repairs reagents, special media, and biological stains; assembles equipment, personally performs, and calculates results for a variety of complex tests.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains laboratory instruments.
• Verifies correct instrument operation via quality control checks.
• Evaluates the validity of laboratory data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic data with other laboratory data and or other patient data to verify results.
• Identifies unusual results or discrepancies conditions which cause erroneous results.
• Advises on course of action to follow when values obtained from standard control sample values, or proficiency test programs are unacceptable.
• Processes and dispatches specimens to reference laboratories assuring that viability is maintained by proper preservation and that laws and regulations are followed for transporting etiologic agents.
• Maintains record keeping system for test results, receipt, and routing of results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule : This is for an evening-night shift position 3 : 00 p.m. to 11 : 00 p.m. / 11 : -00 p.m. - 7 : 00 a.m. with rotating weekends.

Compressed / Flexible : Not Available

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized : Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance at V8_EDRP_WPB@va.gov. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 41740F, 41800F, 40289F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider :

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements :

Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.

Exception for Non-Certified :

Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency.

Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation. At the time of appointment, the Human Resources(HR) Office staff, in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide the employee with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

GS-11 :

Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https : / / www.va.gov / ohrm / QualificationStandards / .

The full performance level of this vacancy is 11.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Education

Note : Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here : http : / / ope.ed.gov / accreditation / . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit : https : / / sites.ed.gov / international / recognition-of-foreign-qualifications / .

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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